Radiator vent valve



A. HELDRICH.

RADIATOR VENT VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1920..

1 4 3 2, Patented Jan. 10,1922,

I ATTONEWV'S'Y ANDREW HELIDRIGH, OF PHILADELPHIA,

AIR VALVE COIvIPANY, 1N0, OF NEW YORK,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 LESKOLE N. 1., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

RADIATOR VALVE.

[application filed June 15,

To ail w bum it may concern Be it known that 1, ANDREW Hnnnnrcn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented rertain new and useful lmproveinents in Radiator Vent Valves, of which the following is a specification, referencc being had to the accompanying drawmg.

My invention relates to valves for radiators for permitting the escape of relatively cold air or vapors and preventing the escape of the heating medium therefrom.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a new and useful valve of the character aforesaid, which is sensitive and reliable in operation, vill not require attention, or out of orc r, and maybe manufactured in large quantities at a relatively low cost.

.inother object of the invention is to provalve of the character aforesaid apted to effectually r lease the relatively cord air and vapors from the radiator but which will guard against the escape of the heating medium during the operation of i0 heating system, and which will operate r ii the inflow of air upon the draing or the radiator when the heating system is thrown out of operation.

Qther objects and advantages of my in vention will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a verti-t-al transverse section of a form of valve on striated in accordance with one embodiment my invention, with the parts in one position of operation; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in another position of (nzeration, and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form f valve.

to the d 1 naracters designate corresponding parts in the several. views, I have shown a valve comprising a (.Olll'lQT'lllOil 1 provided with screw threads nted to be communicably connected to la iator at any suitable point. The conction 1 be provided with a passage leading into a well l, open at its upper end and suitably threaded to receive a cup 3 provided in its bottom with a tapered valve seat- 6 and having at its upper portion Specification of Letters Patent. g m e Jgmm 11o, 192

1920. Serial No. 389,080.

a laterally extending annular flange 7 surrounded by an upwardly extending rim' 8. ll'ithin the rim 8 may be positioned, in any suitable manner, as by fliLlJlOIlitl engagement, a shell 9 extending upwardly a suitable distance and provided with a closed upper end 10. The latter may be shaped to provide an annular concave portion 11, against the curved surface of which the fluids passing upwardly in the shell 9 may contact and be given a reflex flow, and a preferably fiat circular portion 12 provided with a vent perforationlS and a central aperture 1a, adapted to guide an end of a valve stem 15. The upper end of the shell 9 may be exterior-1y reduced in diameter to form an annular seat or shoulder 16 with which may frictionally engage the rim of a cap 1? whereby the outer surface of the cap 17 will form a continuation of the exterior surface of the shell 9. The cap 17 may be provided with a vent opening 18 at any suitable point as in the top thereof, and preferably in staggered relation to the vent perforation 13. Within the shell 9 and coaxial therewith, is disposed the valve stem15 with one end guided through the aperture 14: and the other passing through the port of the valve seat 6 into the well l. The stem 15 may be provided near its lower end with a valve 19 of any suitable form, that shown for illustration being conical,adapted to seat against the seat 6 in the lower portion of the cup 5. intermediate the ends of the stem 15 may be rigidly connected in any suitable man nor, a control member comprising a disk 20 and a bell shaped member extending thereabove and closed at its upper end. The dish 20 is provided with an annular downwardly extending flange 22, the latter carrying adjacent its lower extremity an outwardly extending rim 23 disposed substantially paralel to the flange 7 of the cup. The disk 20 be located at any suitable place inter-- hate the closed and open ends of the her 21 and also may be provided with openings, if desired, to provide for the escape of liquid from the interior of the member 21 whi h may enter or accumulate therein. While in Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown, the control member as comprising a disk 20 and a bell. shaped member 21 it will be observed, however, that a single transverse substantially flat member 20 may be of the shell into the interior of the shell 9. V

used, if desired, with substantially equal effect, such member being connected to the stem 15 and the flange 22 at a suitable distance above the rim 28, as shown in Fig. 3, the arrangement of the parts in either case thus providing an inverted shallow substantially cup-shaped chamber beneath the disk and bounded by it and the flange 22. V i

The members 20 and 21 or 20' with the stem 15 and valve 19 are of comparatively light weight, may be conveniently made of 'thin'drawn metaland suitably spaced from the walls of the shell9 to provide a relatively large annular passage therebetween, but with the'flange 22 and rim 23 spaced to form a small opening or orifice between the rim 23 and'the interior wall of shell 9, as well as-to provide anannular orifice between the rim 23 and the inner face of the flange 7.

The weight of the movable parts 20 or 20, 21 15 and 19 and the effective area of the valve 19 are such that the mere pressure ofthe heating medium in the radiator will not-be sufficient to sustain the weight of the movable parts after the valve 19 has closed, the maintaining ofthe valve 19 in closed condit'ionbeingeffected in a manner hereinafter more fully. disclosed.

In operation, starting with the system in cold condition and the parts of thevent device in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the lower end of the valve 19 resting upon the bottom "of the well l, upon the admission to the radiator ofthe'heating medium, such as steam, the relatively cold air and vapors in the radiator will flow into the connection 1, well 4, and past the valve 19 into the cup 5, thence through-the orifice or space provided between the rim 23, and the flange 7 and then flowing by the rim 23, through the narrow orifice provided therebetween and the wall The flow thence continues upwardly and causes said air and vapors to contact with the concave surface of the portion 11, Where a reflex flow is eflectechthe vapors and air then passing to the central portion of the interiorof the shell 9 and finally escaping through the apertures 13 and 18 to the atmospherel The valve remains in open position during the upward flow of said air and vapors,'the colder air and vapors first flowing through the device followed by the warmer air. and vapors, the latter being followed by the steam.

As soon as the steam flows into the cup 5 and the shell 9, its contact with the relatively cold walls thereofwill cause the steam to condense, flow back and accumulate in the cup 5, the curved form of the portion 11 aid- .ing, by reflecting the steam impinging against the same, to lncrease the condensing action and to prevent excessive escape of the steam through the perforation 13. As the water of condensation accumulates in the closing of the valve 19 mp5, and lower part ofthe interior of the shell, further flow of steam past the valve 19 causes an agitation or ebulition of the water, 7 which appears to impart a sudden impulse or kick upwardly to the disk 20 which moves the valve against its seat, the upper surface of the water substantially simultaneously with the upward movement of the parts and closing of the valve on its seat assuming the form of a concave meniscus and adhering to rim 23 and wall 9 thus sealing the space therebetween, the valve'thereafter remaining closed, although the weight of the movable parts is greater than the effective pressure upon the valve 19, the parts then being in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. From experiments carried out} with this type of device it appears that the surface of the water extends across the narrow annular orifice provided between the rim 23 and the inner surface of the shell 9 whereby the skin or surface tension of the water adhering to the flange 22 and the shell, acts to maintain the movable parts in upper or closed position, the contractile tendency of the surface of the water at said orifice being apparently suflicient to counteract the difference in the weight of th movable parts and the effective pressure or thrust of the steam upon the valve 19 until saidwater surhereinafter more fully disclosed. V

The above operation is that which occurs 7 under ordinary conditions. If, however, unusual conditions exist, such, as the presence of a largequantity of water accumulated in the radiator, it will be apparent that upon the admission of steam intothe radiator there will be a tendency to force said water upwardly through theradiator andthe vent valve. The rush of water so caused will enter the vent valve throughthe passage 3, pass into the Well a, and thence through the port of the valve seat 6 into the cup 5 and interior of the shell 9, where the water will accumulate'aml rise to a 'suflicient depth or height to lift the movable parts upwardly by flotative force, a sufficient distance to cause a closing'of the valve 19 against itsseat 6, thereby preventing further flow of the water I from the radiator and the consequent escape thereof from the vent valve into the room where the radiator may be located. These conditions are, however, somewhat unusual in practice, as ordinarily there is not sufli cient accumulated water in the radiator or in the vent valve to fill the chambers of the vent valve to a sufficient height to cause a of steam therethrough,

Under the more usual conditions encoun-' tered 111 pract1ce,there is but little or no prior to the passage residual water of condensation in or adjacent the vent valve when the steam or other I heating medium'i's admitted to the radiator.

While under normal conditions and after the steam has been admitted and the air and vapors vented as heretofore described, the valve 19 is held to its seat, it is not certain just what are the forces acting to accomplish this result but it would appear from experiments carried out with devices constructed in accordance with the invention, that as the steam enters the water of condensation accumulated in the cup 5 and causes an ebulition or agitation thereof or otherwise acts upon it to close the valve, such steam is condensed with the water and increases the bull: thereof. As can be observed in a suitably constructed device the water has a concave surface which extends to the rim 23 and the shell 9, it is thought that the portion of the surface spanning the rim and the shell 9 is maintained under sufficient surface or skin tension to react against the movable parts to maintain them in upper or closed position as heretofore stated.

After the radiator has been in operation for a time the 'valve will occasionally open and again close. lVhile the reason for this action is not certain it would appear from the experiments heretofore referred to that the valve 19 is not maintained absolutely or hermetically sealed but that a very small amount of steam constantly enters the cup 5 and collects above the surface of the water, where its pressure in time increases sufficiently to force a bubble or more thereof through the orifices adjacent the rim 23, thus breaking or destroying the surface under tension at the rim orifice, or possibly the heat from the heating medium is transmitted through the bottom of the cup 5 which causes an evaporation of a certain amount of water in the cup 5 whereby the steam thus formed is forced. through the orifice beneath the rim 23 and through the. narrow orifice provided between the rim 23 and the thereby breaking or destroying the water surface under skin tension at said orifice. ln either event the breaking of said surface permits the movable parts, due to their weight. to move downwardly and open i when more steam immediately the cr 5 again causing an ebulition therein and increasin upon an, the hull: of the water, whereby valve is up in closed and maintained. closed a time, as before.

While I have herein described and shown upon the accompanying drawing certain embod ents my invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited to the particular details disclosed but that such other forms are comprehended. by said invention as do not depart from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended clai shell 9,

'2 val vc 5,

'ng thus described my invention, I

claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

i. [1. radiator vent valve comprising a shell, a cup connected to the lower end of said shell, means for connecting said cup to a radiator, said cup being provided with a valve controlled opening, a valve therefor, means in said shell and connected to said valve adapted to close said valve upon the accumulation of water of condensation in said cup and. to effect an opening of said valve upon destruction of the surface ten sion of said water of condensation.

A radiator vent valve comprising a shell having a chamber, a cup connected to said shell and having a chamber therein in communication with the chamber of sa' l shell, means provided with a passage and a valve chamber connecting said cup to a radiator, said cup being provided with a valve controlled opening between the chamber of said cup and said valve chamber, a valve in said valve chamber for controlling said o )ening, a movable member having a downwardly depending flange carrying an outwardly directed rim in said shell, and means extending through said opening and connected to said movable member and said valve.

3. A radiator vent valve comprising means provided with a plurality of aligned chambers, means for connecting one of said chambers with the interior of a radiator, means for closing and opening communication be tween contiguous chambers operative to move in one direction upon the accumulation of water of condensation in said cup and to move in the other direction upon the destruction of the surface tension of said Water.

4. radiator vent valve comprising three aligned chambers, a passage connecting the first of said chambers with the interior of a radiator, means for controlling communication between the first and second chambers, a movable member having a downwardly depending flange and an outwardly directed rim for controlling the movement of said means located in the third chamber, and a rod connecting said first and second mentioned controlling means whereby the same move in unison.

A radiator vent valve com )rising three aligned chambers, a passage connecting the v whereby said valve and said movable means move in unison, said valve and said movable means being operative to close communication between said first and second chambers upon accumulation and agitation of water of condensation in sald second and third chambers, and to open said valve upon the destruction of the surface tension of the water of condensation in said third chamber.

6. A radiator vent valve comprising a cup provided with a flange, a shell connected at one end thereof to said flange, a connection from said radiator to said cup, a valve controlled opening provided in the bottom of said cup, a valve therefor, a movable member in said shell above said cup proaid d. with a downwardly depending portion carrying an outwardly extending rimproximate to the wall of said shell and providing a relatively narrow orifice therebetween, and means connected to said movable member and said valve.

7. A radiator vent valve comprising a shell, fluid receiving cup connected to the lower end of said shell, means l orconncct ing said cup to a radiator, and means for controlling communication between said connecting means and said cup, said shell having a wall. at the upper end thereof provided with a concave portion adapted to cause reflex flow of fluids flowing upwardly in said shell.

8. ii. radiator vent valve comprising a shell, a fluid receiving cup connected to the lower end or" said shell, means for connecting said cup to a radiator, and a valve stem carrying a valve for controlling communication between said connecting means and said cup, said shell having a wall at the upper end thereof provided with a concave portion adapted to cause reflex flow of fluids upwardly in said shell and provided with an 1 opening forming a guide for said valve stem andwith a vent opening adjacent said concave portion for the escape of air and vapors. v

9. A radiator vent valve comprising a shell, a liquid receiving cup connected to the lower end of said shell, means for connect ing said cup to a radiator, a valve stem car- 'rying a valve for controlling communication between said connecting means and said cup, said shell having a wall at its upper end provided with a concave portion adapted to cause reflex flow of fluids flowing upwardly insaid shell and having a vent opening adjacent said concave portion for the escape of air and 'apors and a guide opening for said stem. and a cap connected to the upper end of said shell and provided with a vent aperture.

10. A radiator vent valve comprising a shell, a liquid receiving cup connected to the lower end of said shell, means for connecting said cup to a radiator, and means for controlling communication between said connecting means and said cup.

11. I; radiator vent valve comprising a cup, means for connecting said cup to a radiator, a casing above the cup and connected thereto, a valve seat in the bottom of said cup, a alve, a valve stem, and a horizontally positioned member located in. said casing movable with said valve and said valve stem and having an annular depending flange and an annular outwardly extending rim adjacent the bottom of said flange, the edge oi said rim lying adjacent but spaced from said casing.

12. A radiator vent valve comprising a casing, a flanged cup below said casing, a well below saidcup, means for connecting said well to a radiator, a valve seat in the bottom of said cup, a valve cooperative with said seat, a valve stem movable with said valve, and a horizontally positioned member in said casing above said cup movable with said stem and having an annular depending flange and an outwardly projecting rim surrounding said flange, the edge of said rim being adjacent but out of contact with said casing, and said valve being adapted to rest on the bottom ol'" said well to maintain said rim in vertically spaced relation with the flange of said cup.

13. A radiator vent valve comprising a casing, a flanged cup beneath said casing, a well beneath said cup, means for connecting said well with a radiator, a valve stem passing through said cup and a substantially flat member above said cup and in'said casing movable with said valve stem and having an annular depending flange and an outwardly extending rim adjacent the bottom of said flange, said valve being adapted to rest on the bottom of said well to prevent the contact or said flange with the flange of saidcup.

let. A radiator vent valve comprising a casing, a cup below the casing, a valve seat in said cup, a valve stem extending through said cup and into said casing,a valve carried by said stem adapted to close onto said seat, and amovable member in said casing having a depending flange and an outwardly directed rim with its edge adjacent but spaced from the interior of saidcasing, and means "for supporting said valve when out of engagement with said seat so'as to maintain said rim out of engagement with said cup.

15. A radiator vent valve comprising a casinga cup below the casing, a valve seat in the base of the cup, a valve stem extending through the cup and into the'casing, a valve carried by the stem and adapted to close onto said seat, and a member in the casing and movable with said valve stem comprising a transversely extending portion, a

diator, a casing above the cup, a valve operative to control admission of fluid to the cup, and a. horizontally positiined member located in the casing movable with the valve and having a depending fian adjacent but spaced from the interior oi said casing 11 radiator vent 'alve comprising a casing, means for connecting said casing to a rac ator, a valve operative to control the admission oi? fluid to the casing from the radiator, and a member located in said cas ing movable with said valve and having an annular depending flange lying adjacent but spaced from the interior of the casing.

18. A. radiator vent valve comprising a casing a cup below the casing, a valve seat in the base of the cup, a valve cooperative with said seat and a member in the casing movable with said valve comprising a trans versely extending portion and a depending rim bounding an inverted cup-shaped chamber extending over said cup.

19. The method or" etlecting the closure or" a radiator vent valve having a body portion and a relatively movable valve. member controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, which consists in effecting condensation of steamwithin said body to accumulate a quantity or Water of condensation therein and agitating said accumulated Water by the introduction of additional steam from the radiator to efiect the movement of said valve member against its seat.

20. The method of operating a radiator vent valve having a body portion and relatively movable valve member therein cooperative With a valve seat, which consists in causing steam from said radiator valve to flow through said body portion and to condense therein and continuing the flow of steam through the accumulated Water of condensation to effect an agitation thereof to move said valve member into contact with its seat.

21. lhe method of maintaining a movable valve member of a radiator valve in position to prevent a flow of fluid through the valve, which consists in en'ecting a partial support of said valve through the surface tension of Water of condensation accumulated in the body of the valve.

22. The method of operating a radiator valve comprising a body and a relatively movable valve member therein in such manner as to prevent escape of steam from the valve, which consists in effecting a movement of said valve member against its seat through the agitation of water of condense tion in said body and thereafter maintaining said valve member on its seat by effecting the partial support thereof through the medium of the surface tension of said Water.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of June, 1920.

ANDREW HELDRICH. 

